The Whisky Guy

PASSIONATE & SPIRITED

THE WHISKY GUY

 
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Work

Multi-discipline gypsy Distiller

With almost 15 years in the drinks industry my experience spans across branding, product development, distilling, rectifying & compounding, cask selections, sales and more...

In 2011, I founded the first whisky distillery in London for more than 100 years.  With a passion for history and focused on quality, sustainability and innovation I've been fortunate to travel the world in a search different distilling techniques and knowledge. 

I was privileged to be was awarded 'The Rising Star' award by the industry in 2015 and over the last 7 years have co-founded and supported drinks businesses around the world.  

 

Contact me

Starting a new project? Need help distilling, or have a sample you'd like to be reviewed, then please click below.

 
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Testimonials

Darren has a strong commercial drive for results and making things happen. Not just that, but also a great attitude to customer service and a wealth of knowledge about whisky (and many other drinks). He is also a thoroughly nice person and has a refreshingly positive approach to challenges. I enjoyed working with Darren.
— Kai Ivalo, SMWS


 

MY PROMISE

I’ll only work with the best and most ethical. This extends beyond ingredients and manufactures, but to people too. I never compromise quality and give my clients realistic schedules that accommodate their timelines and requirements.


About Me

MY NAME IS Darren

I am a husband, proud dad and a passionate & spirited drinks professional from Newcastle upon Tyne, England.  

I've always worked as a bartender, even while studying a degree in Arboriculture (tree science). 

However, after a four-year stint in retail management with Blacks Leisure my career really started when I got into cocktails and bar management in early 2005. 

Around this time I met my wife, a Canadian chef, and restaurateur, and we built a whisk(e)y bar together. With over 120 types of whiskies including Japanese offerings such as the Ichiro's card deck, the then newly released young Ardbeg's from Islay as well as many classic,  fun & older bottling from the world.

By late 2007 we moved to British Columbia to get married but quickly returned to the UK, living in Scotland, where I worked for Glenmorangie (at The SMWS) before joining online retailer Master of Malt. 

In 2011, my distilling journey started after co-founding The London Distillery Company. I have subsequently went on to help to set up both The Boatyard Distillery in Northern Ireland and YVY Destilaria in Brazil, co-founded Gotham East (Shanghai) Ltd a leading Chinese import & distribution business and have more amazing plans in the pipeline for 2018.